Bookending

Like most of Glory’s classmates, when Paige gained her powers, she needed a conduit. In her case, she could manipulate matter, but only if she read the change desired aloud. She began by making the cute boy notice her, and pretty soon she tried to take over the city. Glory thought she was dealt with after that though, since Glory managed to dunk The Narrator’s face into the acid meant for Glory.

That is, until the prison turned into a vast tower. Glory flew to the top, and there The Narrator sat, fingers reading Braille.

“Everything Burns.” The Narrator read.

Unicycle Built For One

Everyone working on the Talos project was mindful of the ‘Daisy Bell’ issue, as the head of the project reminded them of it often. The song was now synonymous with A.I in popular culture, after it was the first song sung by a computer. And here they were, building the first ever (known) fully functional, independent android with true A.I.

The first ever thing it did had to be special.

So they made sure it had etiquette and social factors programmed in as “very important”.

And then, in front of the world’s media, they turned it on.

And it swore.

Buyer’s Market

On the outside, it was a shipping container in a vacant lot. On the inside, the walls were covered in runes, a large one in chalk filling the floor, a mixture of lines and letters, although it hurt your mind to stare.

Bound and gagged, the young homeless girl struggled as the devoted worshipers chanted in Latin before the sacrifice was made.

Sadly for the worshippers, there was only one person in that crate at the moment the demon crossed over that was truly ready for possession, only one praying for anyone, anything, to just make the pain go away…

The Power of Specific Words

We all turned at the sound of the crash. Even over the rock music blaring over the speakers and the high pitched squeals of the other go-karts, the sound of one flipping over and rolling into the barricade, that tends to carry and override other sounds.

As the manager, I was one of the first on the scene, behind only the medical team and the boy’s mother, who looked up at me, righteous anger filling her eyes.

I looked her square in the eye.

“I said there was no significant risk…”

I saved so much money with that one word.

Chain Reaction

Kav was beaten for a few hours, but to his credit, he did not break. So they tossed him back into the cell with his master, the Great and Powerful Sanstonus.

“When you’re ready.” was all Sanstonus said as Kav stumbled and fell, sprawled on the floor, the chains binding Sanstonus clinking.

Kav spat out some blood and glared at his Master. “And do what?” he managed.

“They left my canteens over there in the corner.”

Kav grumbled but fetched them. He went to pour it into Sanstonus’ mouth when the wizard reared back.

“Mix them! They’ll melt the chains…”

For Want of a Pincushion

Technically we weren’t at war. The peace treaty wasn’t broken yet. But the government was under no illusions that we would not, eventually, have to go to war. So we intelligence departments had to start a quiet recruitment drive.

The young woman sitting across from me seemed perfect. She came from mixed heritage, spoke several languages, the works.

“So… How far are you willing to go for your country?”

“I’ll happily give my life, sir.”

I sighed.

“We don’t need women willing to give their lives. We need women willing to give their bodies…”

She baulked, like so many did…

Set Menu

As the only European in this tiny town in the middle of Vietnam, whenever another foreigner turned up, I was gently prodded to meet them.

So when a young boy ran up and said “Khác với!” I followed him to the restaurant.

Inside was a striking young woman, eating a bowl of meat. I glanced at it then the chef.

“Uh, you do realise that’s-“ I began.

“Don’t tell me!”

I awaited her guess. After a few moments of silent eating, I tried again.

“It’s-“

“This is wonderful, I don’t wish to stop, so don’t tell me!”

I liked her.